Telecom frequency issues in limbo

KATHMANDU, MAR 16: 

Key policy issues including that of third generation (3G) frequency tariff has been in a limbo because the Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee has not been able to conduct a meeting. 

The formulation of the microwave frequency distribution and auction policy has also not materialised because the committee has failed to call a meeting, said under secretary Anup Nepal. 

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has asked the government to fix the fee for 3G frequency and has recommended Rs 140 million as the base-price. Two telecom service providers –– Nepal Telecom and Ncell –– have been using 3G spectrum of 10 MHz each free of cost. 

However, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), had in January blamed various government agencies for hurting the government’s revenue collection by providing the frequency for free. Clarity in the policy is very crucial because the PAC’’s report had directed the regulator and the Ministry of Information and Communications to not take any decision without formulating a policy, said an official at NTA. 

The PAC study had revealed that the government’s negligence in auctioning 3G frequencies had caused a revenue loss of Rs 7 billion to Rs 10 billion.

At present, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai is acting as minister for information and communications. “The meeting of the Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee will not take place any time soon since the ministry lacks a minister,” a source at the ministry said. The government cannot issue a license to new telecom operators unless a new frequency policy is formed, according to the ministry.

Application for FM stations

Applications to start new Frequency Modulation (FM) stations have increased of late, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications. “At least nine applications from one district have been registered at the ministry,” said under secretary at the ministry Anup Nepal. However, the ministry cannot grant permission to new FM stations due to the lack of radio frequency.

Source: THT